Planer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A planer having a base, a first support member attached to the base and supporting a cutterhead for selective travel in a first direction toward the base and a second opposite direction, a top frame attached to the first support member and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame for selectively preventing travel of the cutterhead in the first direction beyond a pre-selected distance from the base. A depth measuring device including a retractable tape may be attached to the cutterhead. A workpiece level indicator plate movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position may be attached to the planer to indicate contact with a workpiece. A locking mechanism for locking a pivotable infeed table of a planer in the upright position for storage, and thereby switching off power to the planer is also disclosed. The planer may include a readily attachable and detachable dust removal assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a planer apparatus and, in particular, to adepth stop mechanism and other accessories for a planer.

2. Description of the Invention Background

Over the years, in response to consumer demand, thickness and finishingplaners, i.e. planers for reducing the thickness of a piece of wood orsimilar materials while providing a smooth and flat finish, have beendecreasing in size. Such portable planers balance the need to providethe required power to produce a smooth finish with the need to conservespace and decrease weight for portability.

The popularity of portable planers among professionals and woodworkingenthusiasts has spurred the introduction of new features designed toincrease versatility, precision and convenience. For example, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/782,453 to Garcia et al., assigned to theassignee of the present invention, discloses a portable planer having acompact two-speed gear mechanism that is actuated to drive the infeedand outfeed rollers of the planer selectively at a high or low speed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,287 to Welsh et al. discloses a planer with a depthstop adjustment mechanism that allows an operator to select a minimumworkpiece depth from one or more predetermined depths, but does notallow selection of any depth within the full range of travel of thecutterhead of the planer.

Also current depth stop arrangements are located between the cutterheadand the workpiece support table and can place undesirable torque on thecutterhead if the cutterhead is inadvertently lowered beyond the pointwherein the depth stop engages the table or other support structure.Such torque can result in damage to the apparatus for positioning thecutterhead.

Additional accessories such as dust collector chutes, depth scales andworkpiece level indicators need to be designed for ease ofmanufacturing, installation and cost-effectiveness.

There remains, therefore, a need for a planer that includes featuresthat overcome the limitations, shortcomings and disadvantages of otherplaners without compromising their advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention meets the identified needs, as well as other needs, aswill be more fully understood following a review of this specificationand drawings.

One embodiment of the invention includes a planer a base, a first andsecond support members attached to the base and supporting a cutterheadfor selective travel toward and away from the base, a top frame attachedto at least the first support member and a depth stop mechanism attachedto the top frame for selectively preventing travel toward the basebeyond a pre-selected distance from the base.

The depth stop mechanism may also include a depth stop member, such as anut, rotatably supported on a portion of the first support memberadjacent to an abutment surface thereof and slidably supported in thetop frame. The depth stop mechanism may also include an adjustmentassembly, such as a sleeve, in the top frame, for selectively adjustinga position of the depth stop member on the support member relative tothe abutment surface.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a planer having a base, atop frame connected to the base, a cutterhead movably supported relativeto the base to define an adjustable opening therebetween for selectivetravel in a first direction toward the base and a second oppositedirection, and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame and notextending into the adjustable opening. The depth stop mechanismselectively prevents travel of the cutterhead in the first directionbeyond a pre-selected distance from the base.

In another embodiment the planer may include a retractable measuringdevice, such as a tape, attached to the top frame of the planer. Theretractable tape may have a first end retractably affixed to the topframe and a second end affixed to the cutterhead. The retractablemeasuring device has a scale thereon and may include a transparentmember covering a portion of the scale, and a scale indicator. The scaleindicator shows the height of the cutterhead from the base on the scalethrough the transparent member.

In another embodiment the planer includes a cutterhead, a motoroperating the cutterhead, a power switch for the motor, and an infeedtable pivotable between an operating position and an upright storageposition that switches off the power to the motor. The planer includes aside frame with a first aperture thereon. The infeed table has a secondaperture aligned with the first aperture so that the apertures mayreceive a locking device when the infeed table is in the storageposition.

Another embodiment of the planer may also include a workpiece levelindicator assembly mounted on the cutterhead. The workpiece levelindicator assembly includes a workpiece level indicator plate that has abottom face parallel to the base and a front ledge, and is movablebetween an engaged position and a disengaged position. When thecutterhead is lowered such that the bottom face of the indicatorcontacts the workpiece, the level indicator moves to the disengagedposition. The workpiece level indicator assembly may also include acover plate covering an inscription on the workpiece level indicator inthe disengaged position and exposing the inscription in the engagedposition.

The planer may also include a dust removal assembly that includes amanifold removably attachable to the cutterhead over the cutting member,a dust deflector directing airflow to the manifold, and a dust chutecommunicating with the manifold. The dust chute has a side opening forconnection to a vacuum hose and has also a channel that is releasablyconnected to the carriage assembly through posts that are received incorresponding slots on the cutterhead.

One feature of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide adepth stop mechanism that is not located between the cutterhead and theworkpiece support table.

It is a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide acompact depth stop mechanism for a full range of travel of thecutterhead of a planer or other similar machine.

Another feature of the invention is to provide efficient, effective andeasily installable accessories for a portable planer and other similarmachines.

It is also feature of at least one embodiment of the invention toprovide an inexpensive and readily adaptable depth measuring device anda convenient workpiece level indicator, either of which that can be usedwith or without a depth stop mechanism for a planer or other similarmachine.

It is yet another feature of at least one embodiment of the invention toprovide a locking mechanism for storing a portable planer in a safeposition with the cutting member and power switch inaccessible tounauthorized persons.

It is also a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention toprovide a dust removal assembly that is readily attached to and detachedfrom a portable planer.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments and from theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of planer according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the planer of FIG. 1 with a portion ofthe support structure removed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the planer of FIG. 1 with a part of thesupport structure for the planer removed to show an embodiment of thedepth stop mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the depth stop mechanism of FIG. 3 in anengaged position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the depth stop mechanism of FIG. 3 in adisengaged position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a sleeve of the depthstop mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of the top end ofthe sleeve of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a knob attachedto the sleeve of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of the knob,retainer ring and retainer shaft for the depth stop mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the height traveled by the depth stopnut for a corresponding height traveled by the cutterhead for the depthstop mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of adepth-measuring device of the invention;

FIG. 12(a) is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a workpiecelevel indicator assembly in the engaged position;

FIG. 12(b) is an isometric view of the workpiece level indicator of FIG.12(a);

FIG. 12(c) is an isometric view of the workpiece level indicator of FIG.12(b) in the disengaged position;

FIG. 12(d) is an isometric view a spring connected to the workpiecelevel indicator of FIG. 12(a);

FIG. 13(a) is an isometric view of an embodiment of a locking device fora planer in the storage position;

FIG. 13(b) is a magnified view of the locking device of FIG. 13(a);

FIG. 14 is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a dust removalassembly of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a detail of the dust removal assembly of FIG. 13(a) showingonly the end posts of the dust channel in the guiding slots;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the dust chute and dust channel of FIG.14; and

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the dust removal assembly of FIG. 14assembled on a carriage assembly of a planer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating theinvention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it is to beunderstood that standard components or features that are within thepurview of an artisan of ordinary skill and do not contribute to theunderstanding of the various embodiments of the invention are omittedfrom the drawings to enhance clarity, even when such features mayotherwise be necessary for the operation of a machine, such as a planer,embodying the invention. In addition, it will be appreciated that thecharacterizations of various components described herein as moving, forexample, upwardly or downwardly, or being vertical or horizontal, arerelative characterizations only based upon the particular position ororientation of a given component for a particular application.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portable planer 100 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The planer 100 includes a supportstructure, generally designated as 112, which includes a top frame 104,a base 103 for supporting a workpiece 114, columns 107 connecting thetop frame 104 and the base 103, an infeed table 108 for supporting theworkpiece 114 as it enters the planer 100, and an outfeed table 110 forsupporting the workpiece 114 as it exits the planer 100. Side housings106 cover portions of the planer 100.

The planer 100 also includes a cutterhead or carriage assembly 102, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which part of the support structure 112 hasbeen removed. The cutterhead 102 is mounted on a first support memberalso referred to as a spindle or elevating screw 118 and a secondsupport member or spindle 119. The first spindle 118 defines an axis ofrotation designated as A-A. The height of the cutterhead 102 from thebase 103 can be adjusted by rotating a crank handle 116, which impartsrotational motion to the second spindle 119. An adjustable opening 143is thereby defined between the cutterhead 102 and the base 103.

The first spindle 118 is linked to the second spindle 119 by a chain 122and sprockets 123 or other means of transmitting rotational motion, sothat the rotation of the second spindle 119 results in rotation of thefirst spindle 118. See FIG. 3. The first spindle 118 and the secondspindle 119 may be engaged respectively with a first carriage nut 124and second carriage nut 125, so that the cutterhead 102 may be moved upand down on the spindles 118 and 119 while remaining parallel to thebase 103. The first carriage nut 124 and the second carriage nut 125 maybe separate components inserted into the cutterhead 102 or they maycomprise appropriate threaded surfaces that are integral to thecutterhead 102.

The typical travel distance of the cutterhead 102 relative to the base103 of a portable planer 100, may be of the order of several inches. Oneplaner, such as the model Delta 22-560 planer manufactured by DeltaInternational Machinery Corp. of Jackson, Tenn., the assignee of thisinvention, for example, has a 6 inches travel.

In one embodiment, the planer includes an embodiment of a depth stopmechanism 128. See FIG. 4. The depth stop mechanism 128 permits anoperator to select a minimum thickness dimension desired for a workpiece114 and, by a simple operation, engage the depth stop mechanism 128 tostop the cutterhead 102 when the cutterhead 102 reaches a predeterminedheight from the base 103 corresponding to the desired minimum thicknessdimension (t_(min)) for the workpiece 102. The predetermined height canessentially be any height along the travel path of the cutterhead 102from the base 103 to the top frame 104.

As shown in FIG. 4, the depth stop mechanism 128 includes a knob 130 andan adjustment assembly generally designated as 131. In this embodiment,the adjustment assembly includes as sleeve 132 that has a top end 133and a bottom end 134. The top end 133 may be an integral part of thesleeve 132 or it may be formed from a separate component such as abushing attached to the sleeve 132. The sleeve 132 receives an upperportion 138 of the first spindle 118 and may slide along or rotate aboutthe first spindle 118. A retainer shaft 140 within the sleeve 132connects the upper portion 138 of the first spindle 118 to the knob 130and is secured by a knob fastener 142, such as, for example, a retainingscrew or retainer slot and ring. The first spindle 118 includes a firstthreaded portion 136 and a second threaded portion 137. The pitch p₁ ofthe first threaded portion 136 is smaller than the pitch p₂ of thesecond threaded portion 137, i.e. the number of threads per inch n₁ ofthe first threaded portion 136 is greater than the number of threads perinch n₂ of the second threaded portion 137, for reasons that will becomeapparent herein below.

The depth stop mechanism 128 of this embodiment further includes a depthstop member 144, such as a depth stop nut, which is threadedly engagedwith the first threaded portion 136 of the first spindle 118, such thatwhen the depth stop nut 144 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise withrespect to the first spindle 118, the depth stop nut 144 moves down orup the first threaded portion 136 of the first spindle 118. The depthstop nut 144 may be, for example, a hex nut having a six-sided lateralsurface. An abutment surface 146, also referred to herein as a spindleshoulder, may be formed at the junction of the first threaded portion136 to the second threaded portion 137 by the difference of thediameters of the first threaded portion 136 to the second threadedportion 137 of the first spindle 118. See FIG. 5. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that when the depth stop nut 144contacts the abutment surface 146, the depth stop nut 144 will beprevented from moving further downward on the first threaded portion136. The abutment surface 146 may also be defined by an appropriatewasher, nut or other similar means. Another washer 145 or abutmentsurface on the first threaded portion of the first spindle 118 preventsfurther upward motion of the nut 144 that may interfere with thefunction of the retainer shaft 140.

One embodiment of the sleeve 132 is shown in exploded view in FIG. 6. Inthis embodiment, the top end 133 of the sleeve 132 is partially receivedwithin a bore 152 in the top frame 104. See FIG. 7. In this embodiment,a portion of the exterior circumference of the top end 133 of the sleeve132 is non-circular in shape and includes a hexagonally-shaped surface148 that defines six corners 149. The exterior of the top end 133 issized to be received in the bore 152. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the bore152 has a surface 150 that defines a plurality of notches 153 forselectively receiving the corners 149 of the top end 133 therein. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 7, the bore 152 has a surface 150 with twentyfour sides 150 and twenty four notches of which twelve outer notches 153define twelve positions about axis A-A in which the sleeve may beretained. As will be further explained below, when the top end 133 isreceived within the bore 152 such that the corners 149 are received incorresponding notches 153, the top end 133 and ultimately the sleeve 132is prevented from being rotatable about axis A-A.

The top end 133 may further include a plurality of ramps 154 havingcorresponding slots 156, and an annular plate 157 for receiving the topend of the retainer shaft 140. The knob 130 is then fastened to theretainer shaft by a fastener 142, such as, for example, the retainingscrew 142 shown in FIG. 8 or the retaining ring 158 and retaining slot159 at the top of retainer shaft 140, as shown in FIG. 9.

In this embodiment, the knob 130 includes a plurality of posts 160 thatcorrespond in number and are sized to fit into the slots 156 of the topend 133. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, there are threeramps 154, three slots 156 and three posts 160. A compression spring 162is coiled around the retainer shaft 140 between the bottom surface ofthe annular plate 157 and a shoulder 163 in the retainer shaft 140, andis biased to push the sleeve 132 upwardly, i.e. toward the knob 130. SeeFIG. 5.

The inner surface of the sleeve 132 includes two diametrically opposedflat portions 164, which are sized to contact and hold respective sidesof the depth stop nut 144, so that when the sleeve 132 rotates about thefirst spindle 118, the depth stop nut also rotates about the firstspindle 118, causing it to move up or down the first threaded portion136 of the first spindle 118.

The depth stop mechanism 128 is selectively moveable between an engagedposition, shown in FIG. 4, and a disengaged position, shown in FIG. 5.In the engaged position, the corners 149 of the top end 133 of thesleeve 132 are received within the corresponding notches 153 in the bore152, which serves to prevent the sleeve 132 from either sliding orrotating about the first spindle 118. The sleeve 132 is retained in theengaged position by depressing and rotating the knob 130 so that theposts 160 ride up the ramps 154 and are received into the slots 156thereby also compressing the spring 162. In this position, the depthstop nut 144 cannot rotate, but it will slidably move up or down withinthe sleeve 132 by the rotation of the first spindle 118.

In the “disengaged” position, illustrated in FIG. 5, the sleeve 132 mayfreely rotate and slide relative to the first spindle 118. The sleeve132 can be rotated with the knob 130 in the unlocked position and thespring 160 extended. In this position, when the knob 130 is rotated, thesleeve 132 rotates, consequently rotating the depth stop nut 144 andcausing it to move up or down on the first spindle 118.

As is often the case, a workpiece may have to be passed through theplaner several times in order to attain the final desired thickness.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that after theworkpiece 114 has passed through the planer 100, the cutterhead 102 ispositioned closer to the base 103 and the workpiece 114 is again passedthrough the planer 100. This activity is repeated until the workpiece114 is planed to a desired thickness. As will be discussed below, thedepth stop mechanism 128 of the present invention permits the user toquickly and accurately establish a stop which prevents the cutterhead102 from inadvertently being adjusted beyond a point which would resultin the workpiece 114 being planed to a lesser than desired thickness.

This embodiment of the depth stop mechanism 128 operates as follows. Theknob 130 is rotated counterclockwise to release it from the lockedposition causing the posts 160 to slide from the slots 156 down theramps 154 with the spring 162 pushing the sleeve 132 up in thedisengaged position and moving the hexagonal surface 148 out of thetwenty-four sided surface 150 of the bore 152. Starting at thedisengaged position, the cutterhead is moved to a desired height fromthe base 103 by operating the crank handle 116, which causes the secondspindle 119 to rotate. The second spindle 119 has a threaded portion166, which has the same pitch p₂ as the second threaded portion 137 ofthe first spindle 118. As the chain 122 and sprocket 123 transmit therotational motion of the second spindle 119 to the first spindle 118,the common pitch p₂ keeps the cutterhead 102 level, i.e. parallel to thebase 103.

After the cutterhead 102 has reached the height corresponding to theminimum thickness t_(min) desired for the finished workpiece 114, theknob 130 is rotated clockwise, causing the sleeve 132, and therefore thedepth stop nut 144, to also rotate clockwise. As a result, the depthstop nut 144 moves down the first threaded portion 136 of the spindleuntil it contacts the abutment surface 144. At this position, the knob130 is depressed and rotated clockwise locking the sleeve 132 within thebore 152 thereby bringing the depth stop mechanism 128 in the engagedposition. See FIG. 4.

The cutterhead 102 is thereafter moved away from the base 103 byoperation of the crank handle 116 to an initial height “h” from the base103 that will allow for an unfinished/thicker workpiece to be initiallyinserted. The height “h” is equal to h_(c) plus t_(min), where h_(c) isthe distance of the cutterhead 102 from the minimum desired distancet_(min) from the base 103, as shown in FIG. 10. While the cutterhead 102is raised to the initial height h_(n) the rotation of the first spindle118 causes the depth stop nut 144 to advance a distance h_(n) away fromthe abutment surface 146. When the cutterhead 102 is gradually loweredto plane the workpiece 114 in successive passes, the depth stop nut 144will also be advanced downward and eventually contact the abutmentsurface 146 having traveled a distance h_(n) while the cutterhead 102has traveled a distance h_(c). The abutment surface 146 prevents thedepth stop nut 144 from moving further downward and resists furtherrotation of the crank handle 116, and therefore prevents reduction ofthe thickness of the workpiece 114 beyond the predetermined minimumthickness t_(min). By an appropriate choice of the pitch ratio p₁/p₂,the distance h_(n) traveled by depth stop nut 144 is only a fraction ofthe distance h_(c) traveled by the cutterhead 102:(p ₁ /p ₂)=(n ₂ /n ₁)=(h _(n) /h _(c)).

For example, if the first threaded portion 136 has 40 threads per inch,or 1/40 pitch, and the second threaded portion 137 has 16 threads perinch or 1/16 pitch, then the depth stop nut 144 will travel only 40%(i.e. 16/40) of the distance traveled by the cutterhead 102.Accordingly, the cutterhead 103 can be set at any height from the basewithin its full range of motion, for example 6.5 inches, provided thatthe depth stop mechanism 128 is constructed such that the distancebetween the washer 145 and the abutment surface 146 is only 2.6 inches(40% of 6.5), with the pitch ratio chosen for this example. Therefore,the depth stop mechanism 128 is very compact and can be added as afeature of a portable planer 100 without increasing the overalldimensions of the planer, because the depth stop mechanism 128 can beaccommodated within the original size of the planer 100.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, another embodiment of the planer 100 may alsoinclude a depth measuring device 168 that displays the distance of thecutterhead 102 from the base 103 as the cutterhead 102 is adjusted inheight. The depth measuring device 168 includes a commercially availableretractable measuring device 170, such as a tape, of the type thatretracts to wind up on a tape roll 174 inside a housing 176. Theretractable tape 170 has a first end 171 and a second end 172. The firstend 171 of the retractable tape 170 is attached to the cutterhead 102 bycommon mechanical fasteners, such as rivets or screws, and the secondend 172 is attached to the tape roll 174. The housing 176 is attached tothe top frame 104 of the planer. The retractable tape 170 has a portionwith a scale 178 thereon. A viewing window 179 covers a portion of thescale 178 and is attached to the top frame 104 of the planer. The scaleis calibrated to show the current height of the cutterhead 102 from thebase 103 at a cursor line or other scale indicator 180 on the clearwindow 179. The depth measuring device 168 is an inexpensive and easy toinstall accessory for a planer 100 and may be advantageously used inconjunction with the depth stop mechanism 128 to measure at a glance theheight of the cutterhead 102 from the base 103 for setting the desirableminimum thickness t_(min) for planing a workpiece 114.

Another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a planer 100that has a workpiece level indicator assembly 181 shown in FIGS.12(a)-12(d). The workpiece level indicator assembly 181 includes aworkpiece level indicator plate 182 that is mounted preferably on thefront surface 184 of the cutterhead 102, such that it can slide betweenan engaged position shown in FIG. 12(a) and a disengaged position shownin FIG. 12(c). The mounting means may be, for example, two slots 194each having a left indentation 195 and fasteners 196 sized to extendthrough the slots 194 to be threadedly received in correspondingthreaded holes in the cutterhead. The workpiece level indicator plate182 has a bottom face 186 parallel to the base 103 and a front ledge188.

A spring 190, illustrated in FIG. 12(d) mounted on the front side 184 ofthe cutterhead 103 biases the workpiece level indicator plate 182 to theright and such that the fasteners 196 are received in their respectiveindentation 195. This position is the engaged position. As can be seenin FIG. 12(b), when the level indicator plate 182 is in the engagedposition, the bottom face 186 extends below the lower surface of thecutterhead 102. When the cutterhead 102 is lowered onto the workpiece,the bottom face 186 of the level indicator plate 182 contacts theworkpiece causing the plate 182 to slide upward against the biasingforce of the spring 190. A cover plate 192 may also be mounted on thefront side 184 of the cutterhead 103 with fasteners 196 such that it maycover an inscription on the indicator in the disengaged position, suchas the word “ENGAGED” and exposing the inscription in the engagedposition.

Yet another embodiment of the planer 100 may include a locking mechanism198, which allows the infeed table 108 to pivot between an extendedposition during operation and an upright storage position in which theplaner 100 is switched off and the cutting blade is inaccessible forsafety reasons, as shown in FIGS. 1, and 13(a) and (b). The lockingmechanism 198 includes an aperture 199 on the side frame 106 of theplaner 100 and an aperture 200 on the infeed table 108. The apertures199 and 200 are aligned such that a locking device 201, such as, forexample, an ordinary padlock or other safety lock, may be insertedthrough the aperture 199 of the side frame 106 and the aperture 200 ofthe infeed table 108 to secure and lock the infeed table 108 in theupright position. In the upright and locked position, the infeed table108 pushes against and switches off the power switch 203 (shown inFIG. 1) of the planer 100.

The planer 100 may also include a dust removal assembly 206, as shown inFIGS. 14-17. The dust removal assembly 206 is positioned on the outfeedside 208 of the carriage assembly 102 and includes a manifold 210 havinga manifold deck 211. The manifold 210 is removably attached to thecarriage assembly 102 by means of, for example, a pair of thumb screws212 (only one is shown) through the manifold deck 211. The dust removalassembly 206 also includes a dust deflector 214, which is attached tothe carriage assembly 102 with any suitable fasteners toward the infeedside 209 and deflects airflow and dust or shavings under the manifolddeck 211.

The dust removal assembly 206 also includes a dust chute 216 thatcommunicates with the manifold 210 through a dust channel 218, which isreleasably connected to the carriage assembly 102. The dust channel 218may be attached to the dust chute 216 with fasteners 224, or by welding,and may be an integral part of the dust chute 216. The dust channel 218has two end posts 220, which are attached, for example, by spot welds,and are sized to slide into corresponding guiding slots 222 on thecarriage assembly 102. The guiding slots 222 help slide the dust channel218 and dust chute 216 easily onto the carriage assembly 102. Themanifold 210 is then placed on the carriage assembly 102 and thethumbscrews 212 are inserted and tightened over the manifold deck 211.The dust chute 216 has a side opening 226, to which a vacuum hose may beattached for dust removal. The side opening 226 directs dust to one sideof the planer 100. The portion of the dust channel 218 that connects tothe carriage assembly is symmetrically shaped. Thus, the dust channel218 may be connected to the carriage assembly 102 in either a firstposition, with the side opening 226 directed to a right side of theplaner 100, or a second position, with the side opening 226 directed toa left side of the planer 100.

The depth stop mechanism 128, the depth measuring device 168, theworkpiece level indicator assembly 181, the locking mechanism 198 andthe dust removal assembly 206 have all been described for a portableplaner, but they can readily be used with a standard planer or othermachine that includes a rotary cutting member 105 mounted on a carriageassembly 102, such as a combination planer/molder, planer/sander, etc.

Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been describedherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for thepurpose of limiting the same, it will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art that numerous variations of the details,materials and arrangement of parts may be made within the principle andscope of the invention without departing from the invention as describedin the appended claims.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A planer for removing material from a workpiece,the planer comprising: a base; a cutterhead movably supported relativeto the base; a workpiece level indicator movably affixed to thecutterhead such that the workpiece level indicator is movable between anengaged position and a disengaged position; a biaser attached to thecutterhead to bias the workpiece level indicator into the engagedposition.
 19. The planer of claim 18, further comprising a cover platecovering an inscription on the workpiece level indicator plate when theworkpiece level indicator plate is in the disengaged position andexposing the inscription when the workpiece level indicator plate is inthe engaged position. 20-44. (canceled)
 45. A planer for removingmaterial from a workpiece, the planer comprising: a base; a cutterheadsupported relative to the base, a distance between the base and thecutterhead being adjustable; and a workpiece level indicator movablyattached to the cutterhead such that the workpiece level indicator ismovable between a first position and a second position, wherein theworkpiece level indicator is biased from the first position to thesecond position as a distance between the cutterhead and a workpiecedisposed on the base is reduced.
 46. The planer of claim 45 wherein theworkpiece level indicator is slidably attached to the cutterhead and isslidable between the first position and the second position.
 47. Theplaner of claim 45 wherein the workpiece level indicator contacts aworkpiece disposed on the base and is biased from the first position tothe second position as the distance between the cutterhead and aworkpiece disposed on the base is further reduced.
 48. The planer ofclaim 47 wherein the workpiece level indicator contacts a workpiecedisposed on the base and is biased to slide from the first position tothe second position as a distance between the cutterhead and a workpiecedisposed on the base is further reduced.
 49. The planer of claim 45wherein the workpiece level indicator comprises a plate movably attachedto the cutterhead such and movable between the first position and thesecond position.
 50. The planer of claim 49 wherein the plate isslidably attached to the cutterhead such that the plate is slidablebetween the first position and the second position.
 51. The planer ofclaim 50 wherein the plate includes at least one slot and the cutterheadincludes at least one fastener, and wherein the fastener extends throughthe slot so that the plate remains affixed to the cutterhead as itslides between the first position and the second position.
 52. Theplaner of claim 50 wherein the plate includes a bottom face that extendsbelow a lower surface of the cutterhead when the plate is in the firstposition.
 53. The planer of claim 50 wherein the bottom face of theplate contacts a workpiece disposed on the base as the distance betweenthe cutterhead and a workpiece disposed on the base is reduced.
 54. Theplaner of claim 53 wherein the plate is caused to slide upward from thefirst position to the second position as the bottom face contacts aworkpiece disposed on the base and the distance between the cutterheadand a workpiece disposed on the base is further reduced.
 55. The planerof claim 45, further comprising a biaser attached to the cutterhead, thebiaser biasing the workpiece level indicator to remain in the firstposition.
 56. The planer of claim 45, further comprising a springattached to the cutterhead and to the workpiece level indicator, thespring exerting a force biasing the workpiece level indicator to remainin the first position.
 57. The planer of claim 45 wherein the workpiecelevel indicator includes indicia thereon indicating whether theworkpiece level indicator is in at least one of the first position orthe second position.
 58. The planer of claim 57 wherein the indicia isvisible when the workpiece level indicator is in one of the first andsecond positions, and wherein the indicia is not visible when theworkpiece level indicator is in the other of the first and secondpositions.
 59. The planer of claim 58, further comprising a plateaffixed to the cutterhead, wherein the plate covers the indicia when theworkpiece level indicator is in one of the first and second positions.60. A planer for removing material from a workpiece, the planercomprising: a base; a cutterhead supported relative to the base, adistance between the base and the cutterhead being adjustable; aworkpiece level including a bottom face, wherein the workpiece levelindicator is movably attached to the cutterhead and is slidable betweena first position and a second position; and a spring attached to thecutterhead and to the workpiece level indicator, the spring exerting aforce biasing the workpiece level indicator to remain in the firstposition; wherein the bottom face of the workpiece level indicatorcontacts a workpiece disposed on the base and the workpiece levelindicator is biased to slide from the first position to the secondposition as a distance between the cutterhead and the base is reduced.61. The planer of claim 60 wherein the workpiece level indicator is aplate.
 62. The planer of claim 61 wherein the bottom face of the plateextends below a bottom surface of the cutterhead when the plate is inthe first position.